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Simpson-Sullivan, Van der Westhuizen Claim Titles at Day One of AACs
5/10/2024 10:59:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
SAN ANTONIO – The Rice women's track and field team had a great opening day at the AAC Outdoor Championships, with two event titles and one school and conference record. Rice currently leads the team score at the end of day one.
In her final conference meet, Tara Simpson-Sullivan claimed the hammer throw title for her eighth conference title. The title sweeps the 2024 AAC weight/hammer throw titles for Simpson-Sullivan and sweeps the hammer titles for Rice (Cal Abdulky for men's track).
Mckyla Van der Westhuizen claimed her first conference title in the javelin, winning the title on her first throw with a distance of 53.40m. The event was the second that the Owls swept the event titles (Ty Hampton for men's track).
In the heptathlon, Alice Taylor set the high jump school record twice with a final clearance of 1.91m, also setting the AAC record. The mark ranks third in the NCAA currently.
Over on the track, Taigen Hunter-Galvan and Amelie Attenborough advanced to the finals of the 1500m on Sunday, while Savannah Simms advanced in the 400m hurdles.
Day One Reaction - Head Coach Jim Bevan
"We had so many outstanding performances today. Eliza got off to a great start with a lifetime best in the sprint hurdles while equaling her best in the high jump. She had a great shot put and a PB in the 200m. Tara wins her fourth hammer title and first in the AAC. What more can you say? One of the greatest athletes at Rice. Mckyla wins her first AAC title on her first throw in the javelin. Taigen and Amelie made it through in the 1500m, while Savannah Simms made the finals in the hurdles. Of course, the highlight was Alice Taylor destroying the school record in the high hump at 1.91m, with a stellar performance within the heptathlon. Now, we will look to continue to build on day two of the competition."
RESULTS (Top Finishers)
1500m Prelims
1. Taigen Hunter-Galvan – 4:31.22 (advances)
8. Amelie Attenborough – 4:35.29 (advances)
400m Hurdles Prelims
6. Savannah Simms – 1:00.39s (advances)
Hammer Throw
1. Tara Simpson-Sullivan – 65.76m (215-09)
Javelin
1. Mckyla Van der Westhuizen – 53.40m (175-02)
Heptathlon
1. Eliza Kraule – 3601 points
5. Alice Taylor – 3126 points - Hept. High Jump - 1.91m - School Record - AAC Record
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Rice – 20
2. Tulsa – 15
3. Charlotte – 14
4. North Texas – 12
5. East Carolina – 11
5. Wichita State – 11
7. South Florida – 9
7. Memphis – 9
9. Tulane – 5
9. SMU – 5
9. UTSA – 5
12. UAB – 1
UP NEXT
The AAC Championships will continue tomorrow for day two of the competition.
In her final conference meet, Tara Simpson-Sullivan claimed the hammer throw title for her eighth conference title. The title sweeps the 2024 AAC weight/hammer throw titles for Simpson-Sullivan and sweeps the hammer titles for Rice (Cal Abdulky for men's track).
Mckyla Van der Westhuizen claimed her first conference title in the javelin, winning the title on her first throw with a distance of 53.40m. The event was the second that the Owls swept the event titles (Ty Hampton for men's track).
In the heptathlon, Alice Taylor set the high jump school record twice with a final clearance of 1.91m, also setting the AAC record. The mark ranks third in the NCAA currently.
Over on the track, Taigen Hunter-Galvan and Amelie Attenborough advanced to the finals of the 1500m on Sunday, while Savannah Simms advanced in the 400m hurdles.
"We had so many outstanding performances today. Eliza got off to a great start with a lifetime best in the sprint hurdles while equaling her best in the high jump. She had a great shot put and a PB in the 200m. Tara wins her fourth hammer title and first in the AAC. What more can you say? One of the greatest athletes at Rice. Mckyla wins her first AAC title on her first throw in the javelin. Taigen and Amelie made it through in the 1500m, while Savannah Simms made the finals in the hurdles. Of course, the highlight was Alice Taylor destroying the school record in the high hump at 1.91m, with a stellar performance within the heptathlon. Now, we will look to continue to build on day two of the competition."
1500m Prelims
1. Taigen Hunter-Galvan – 4:31.22 (advances)
8. Amelie Attenborough – 4:35.29 (advances)
400m Hurdles Prelims
6. Savannah Simms – 1:00.39s (advances)
Hammer Throw
1. Tara Simpson-Sullivan – 65.76m (215-09)
Javelin
1. Mckyla Van der Westhuizen – 53.40m (175-02)
Heptathlon
1. Eliza Kraule – 3601 points
5. Alice Taylor – 3126 points - Hept. High Jump - 1.91m - School Record - AAC Record
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Rice – 20
2. Tulsa – 15
3. Charlotte – 14
4. North Texas – 12
5. East Carolina – 11
5. Wichita State – 11
7. South Florida – 9
7. Memphis – 9
9. Tulane – 5
9. SMU – 5
9. UTSA – 5
12. UAB – 1
The AAC Championships will continue tomorrow for day two of the competition.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Multis
/ Women's Track & Field
Hurdles
/ Women's Track & Field
Throws
/ Women's Track & Field
Jumps/Multis
/ Women's Track & Field
Javelin
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